Jurassic Park: Gold

The steps I took to place my first bet

The route to this dinosaur park is a bit easier than taking a helicopter to a remote island. If you can go online, then you can visit. I wrote down the steps I took to reach Jurassic Park and turned it into this handy guide for you.

1. To get my ticket to this unusual theme park, I needed to find a casino with the game. I looked at several reputable sites before narrowing the selection. My criteria included low wagering requirements, fast withdrawals, and friendly customer support via live chat.

2. I registered for an account by adding my personal details to the form. I also took the opportunity to verify my identity as early as possible, as it means that other processes, such as withdrawal, are streamlined later.

3. I had already looked at the casino’s bonuses, but I took another moment to check the terms to understand how to claim. I also used it as an opportunity to understand the wagering requirements and bet limits.

4. To play and to trigger my bonus, I needed to add funds to my account. I followed the quick three-step process to deposit by visiting the cashier, picking my payment method and entering the amount.

5. I could already hear that majestic theme tune playing in my mind as I headed to the casino lobby. To get to the slot faster, I entered its name into the search box and clicked on the result to load it.

6. After checking out the loading page, which set the scene, I explored the rules and the paytable to understand how the game and its features work. Last but by no means least, I clicked the coins icon and used the controls to adjust my bet. 

First Impressions of Jurassic Park: Gold

My first hope for the slot was that it would have the dinosaurs from the film. If it didn’t have those, could it even call itself a Jurassic Park slot? I needn't have worried as it was packed full of original artwork that took me back to my original trip to the cinema all those years ago.

Going for gold

A slot’s design matters to me, but when it’s a branded slot, it’s crucial to connect with the original concept. I’m pleased to say that this title covered almost every aspect needed to help me relive that adventure. It starts with the realistic jungle backdrop, which made me feel like I was exploring a dinosaur enclosure.

I also appreciated the sound effects, which included the buzz of insects, birdsong and some dinosaur noises. The music has a cinematic feel, but it isn’t the famous soundtrack I know and love, so it does lose a few points for that. 

Storytelling on a cinematic scale

My expectations for the narrative were high. I definitely feel like this slot delivered on them. The smaller details, such as the nod to DNA manipulation when the Link & Win round started, connected to the original storyline for how the park was made. I also like that the different Free Spin rounds are named after dinosaurs.

The characters, including the park founder and the visiting experts, also help bring to mind the plot of the film. Most importantly, the Scatter is the mosquito trapped in amber. It’s a crucial plot point that connects the slot to how the scientists got the dinosaur DNA in the first place.

Exploring branded bonus features

I wanted the action to match the quality of the design. If they don’t live up to the original film or concept, then it’s disappointing. While the artwork and soundtrack are crucial, I’m most interested in how the bonus features connect to the theme and story. In this case, the features are intricately but seamlessly woven into the game.

My favourite, and the one I saw the most often, is the multiplier Wild. It’s the famous logo from the film. I saw it double-stacked on the reels sometimes. It can substitute for paying symbols, but not the Scatter or Powerball. As part of a win, it had a 2x or 5x multiplier, which was a nice boost to my payouts.

I also saw Powerballs on the reels in the base game. Once six landed simultaneously, it triggered the Link & Win round. I was taken to a second screen with different reels. The Powerballs that triggered the bonus round locked in place. I got three spins, which reset when a new Powerball landed.

Any new Powerballs also stayed in place, and once I reached certain thresholds, the reels expanded as I unlocked more rows. I needed 15, 20, 25, and then 30 positions filled to progress. The Powerballs have random values and can also represent the mini, minor, and major jackpots. All those values were collected when my bonus round ended, as I had run out of spins. If all positions on the reels are filled, you win the mega jackpot. 

The Free Spins are triggered by three or more amber Scatters on the reels, which pay in any position. During this bonus round, I also spotted a new feature called Wild Chase. Sections of the reel are targeted, and if a Wild lands there, it expands, and that position stays active for the rest of the round. If you activate the whole reel, you get four more spins.

The next step up from the Wild Chase is the Wildstorm. It can turn up to five reels wild. It’s guaranteed in the Tyrannosaurus Rex Free Spins round. I unlocked the feature for my next Free Spins round by filling up the meter. I needed 15 points and got one point for every pair of Scatters on the reels. There’s a choice of four Free Spins rounds.

Round Name	Number of Spins	Win Potential	Other Features	How to Unlock
Dilophosaurus Free Spins	12	Up to 3,600x	Wild win multiplier of 2x, 5x, or 8x	Unlocks with first Free Spins trigger
Velociraptor Free Spins	9	Up to 3,650x	Wild win multiplier of 2x, 5x, or 8x	Unlocks after 4 Free Spin triggers
Spinosaurus Free Spins	6	Up to 4,000x	Wild win multiplier of 2x, 5x, or 8x	Unlocks after 8 Free Spin triggers
Tyrannosaurus Rex Free Spin	1	Up to 5,000x	Wildstorm	Fill up the Wildstorm meter

Finding out Jurassic Park: Gold’s RTP

Hopefully, we’ve all learned a valuable lesson by now. If your glass of water is shaking, get out of there! Seriously, though, the real lesson is that not all slots pay the same. While it’s only a theoretical percentage, a slot’s RTP is a useful guide for picking a game. This title hits the average mark with 96% RTP.

It's a high volatility slot, so patience is required. The win frequency can vary, although you could expect some more sizable ones in there. In the base game, the symbols fall on the 5x4 reels, which have 40 fixed paylines.

Is Jurassic Park: Gold a hit?

Yes, it’s a hit. If it also had the film’s soundtrack, it would be near perfect. I like the original artwork, dinosaur-themed Free Spins rounds, and the jungle setting. It has so many nods to the original story, including that mosquito encased in amber that made it all possible.

Besides the familiar characters, the appeal of the jackpots made this game enjoyable. I liked the progression of the Link & Win round, and the multiplier Wild was a big boost throughout. My main criticism is that it can take a while to see some of those bonus features.